Gujarat Titans Eye Top Two Finish Amid Criticism of Batting Strategy
Focus on Winning Over Run Rate
Despite facing backlash for their cautious batting style, B Sai Sudharsan, the opener for Gujarat Titans, emphasized that the team's priority is to secure a top-two finish rather than fixate on net run-rate as they prepare for their final IPL league match on Thursday.
Having already clinched a playoff spot, GT currently sits in second place on the points table. A win against the already-eliminated CSK would greatly enhance their chances of finishing in the top two, giving them two opportunities to reach the final.
Sudharsan stated, "The primary goal is to play well and win tomorrow."
He added, "We are not in a position to focus on winning by a large margin. It’s about executing the right strategies that have worked for us and securing the victory first."
He further noted, "If we find ourselves in a strong position, like any team, we would aim to finish as smoothly as possible to maximize our chances of being in the top two."
This season, Sudharsan has been a key player for Gujarat, amassing 554 runs with an impressive strike rate of 157.83.
However, the team is coming off a disappointing performance against Kolkata Knight Riders, where they dropped several catches, leading to a 29-run loss.
Sudharsan mentioned that the team has discussed the issue internally, highlighting that fielding is largely about attitude and intent.
"As a team, we have performed well in the field throughout the tournament. It was just one match where we missed a few catches," he explained.
"We had a discussion about the importance of attitude and the desire to impact the game. I believe this will show in our performance in the upcoming match."
The much-anticipated 300-run team total has yet to be achieved in IPL 2026, falling short of pre-season expectations.
Reflecting on this, the stylish left-hander remarked, "There are a couple of factors at play. Firstly, the pitches have been somewhat challenging, not providing the ideal batting conditions."
"Secondly, scoring 300 runs requires every batsman to be in top form from the very first ball. That’s when reaching 300 becomes feasible."
"Additionally, the bowling unit must perform poorly for any team to reach that 300 mark, which is a tough ask."